To find biographies, books of criticism or bibliographies
concerning the works of a specific playwright, do a subject search on the author's
name (last name, first name). Reference Books:Background
Information
Modern World Drama: an Encyclopedia Ref PN1851 M36
A comprehensive reference to 19th and 20th century drama. Entries are arranged
alphabetically by subject (play titles, playwrights, countries, technical terms).
Indexed. Includes synopses of plays and background information. Articles are
both critical and factual so you may want to use more than just this source
for a balanced view.
Major Modern Dramatists Ref PN1861 M27 1984 2 vols.
A source of excerpts of criticism with full citations. "The principal aim
of this work is to give an overview of the critical reception of dramatist from
the beginning of his career up to the present time by presenting excerpts from
reviews, articles and books. The writers are grouped by region and arranged
alphabetically within each section. The critical excerpts are arranged chronologically.
A list of periodicals with an explanation of abbreviations, is at the
front of each volume."
The Reader's Encyclopedia of World Drama Ref PN1625 G3 1969
This one volume encyclopedia is an excellent source for background information.
The focus is on drama as literature. Contains biographical information. Major
plays are discussed individually under separate entries. Illustrated. Published
in 1969.
Reference Books: Additional Sources for Background Information and Criticism
Gale Literary Criticism Series (Much of this is now available online at Gale
Literary Resource Center - this is available to all UNC Charlotte affiliated
persons and anyone working inside the physical library.
This group of reference works provides a comprehensive source
for biographical and critical information on playwrites. Drama Criticism ( Ref
PN 1601 D59, 3 vols.) specifically covers plays, but other volumes in the series
will also be useful. For detailed information about these important resources
see our Web
bibliography of Gale Literary Criticism.
European Drama Criticism, 1900-1975 Ref Z5781 P2 1977
This is an excellent source of criticism for European authors. It includes references
to both books and articles. No annotations. Some items may require interlibrary
loans.
McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of World Drama Ref PN1625 M3 1984
This a major reference source on drama topics, authoritative and comprehensive.
Entries consist of biographical material, synopses of major plays, and references
for criticism. There are survey articles on regional, national and ethnic- linguistic
drama.
Vol. 5 contains a glossary of technical terminology (pp.
217-264), a "Play Title List and Index" (pp. 267-354) and an "Index"
(pp. 355-516).
Five volumes. Entries are long. Illustrated.
Magill: Critical Survey of Drama, English Language
Series Ref PN1721 C74 1985 6 vols.
Long biographical and analytical entries. Short bibliographies at the ends of
articles. An . author/title index is located in the back of Vol. 6. Analytical
synopses of major plays. This is an excellent source for criticism.
Magill: Critical Survey of Drama Foreign Language
Series Ref Pn 1625 C74 1986 6 vols.
Same format as the English Language Series.
Bibliographies and Explication Checklists (Use these to locate criticism on individual plays)
America Drama Criticism Ref Z1231 D7 P3 1979
"Interpretations of America plays published in books, periodicals, and
monographs...alphabetical by playwrights, with plays alphabetized under the
playwright's name."
Updated by a supplement (Ref Z1231 D7 P3 1984).
Drama Criticism, Vol. 1, 1966 ad Vol. 2, 1977
Ref Z 1231 D7 C6
Vol. 1: A checklist of interpretations since 1940 of English and America Plays--from
the earliest known plays to the 20th century. Vol. 2: A checklist of interpretation since 1940 of classical
and continental plays.
Both volumes give references to criticism appearing in periodicals and books
published between 1940 and 1964.
Dramatic Criticism Index: A Bibliography of Commentaries on Playwrights from Ibsen
to the Avant-Garde
Ref Z 5781 B8
A very useful source for criticism. Arranged alphabetically by playwright and
play title. Indexes books and periodicals. See the list of "Books Indexed,"
pp. 997-1022, for call numbers of books owned by Atkins Library. Published in
1972.
Modern Drama: Scholarship and Criticism, 1966- 1980,
an International Bibliography Ref Z 5781 C37
"a classified, selective list of publications 1986 [books and journals]
on world drama since Ibsen."
Approaches drama as literature. Entries are arranged by nationality and then
alphabetically by playwright. Listings are extensive but not subdivided by play
titles. See abbreviations (pp. 3-14) for full titles of journals. This bibliography
is a major reference source for drama criticism; however, some of the sources
cited will require interlibrary loan.
Research Guide to Bibliography and Criticism: World
Drama Ref Z 5781 R47 1986
Includes for each author: annotated bibliographies of sources for biographies,
autobiographies, and critical sources, and a list of additional sources, including
relevant dictionaries and encyclopedias. Indexed. A excellent reference for
in-depth research on a playwright.
Many additional sources for criticism and reviews
can be found in the Z5781 section of the Reference collection.
Performance Reviews
See the various full-text online indexes (linked below) for
recent reviews.
New York Times Theater Reviews Ref PN 1581 N4 - kept in Reference 1st floor of
library
"All theater reviews published in The New York Times between 1870 and [1986]
have been assembled and reproduced in book form under the title New York Times
Theater Reviews." (Note: Atkins library owns 1920-1970, and yearly volumes
through 1986.) The first series is indexed by personal name: director, playwright,
performer. The yearly volumes are indexed by personal names, play titles and
production companies. The volumes include the original illustrations from the
reviews, and are arranged in date order.Note: most of this is available on-line in the New York Times Historical Archive (login required).
Additional reviews for recent performances can be located using indexes; newspapers may be your most useful sources for these.
